The Ringer-Verse

Latest Episodes:

‘Fallout’ Season 2, Episode 2 Reactions | Button Mash Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

Ben and Daniel Chin patrol the Mojave and discuss the literally mind-blowing second episode of the second season of 'Fallout,' "The Golden Rule." After sharing their overall review, they assess each of the episode’s four main settings and story lines, point out the parallels between characters, and wrestle with this season’s accelerated world-building. They also consider whether becoming a ghoul is good, the Golden Rule vs. the Ghoul-den Rule, the likelihood of surviving a nuclear explosion by hiding in a fridge, aliens in 'Fallout' lore, and more.

Intro (0:30)

Overall review of the episode (03:32)

Hank catch-up (06:20)

What’s new with Norm (13:26)

Lucy and the ghoul (18:30)

Maximus and the Brotherhood (38:01)

Fridge science, 'Fallout' lore, and more (50:00)

Host: Ben Lindbergh

Guest: Daniel Chin

Producer: Brian H. Waters

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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2025 Games of the Year Draft | Button Mash Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

Ben, Matt, Steve, and Joshua Rivera recap an eventful year in video games by summing up the overall quantity and quality of games released in 2025, identifying both naughty and nice trends in the industry, and drafting their favorite titles across several categories.

(00:00) Intro
(3:35) Overall Quality of 2025 Games
(8:35) Naughty and Nice Industry Trends
(43:32) Games of the Year Draft

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Matt James, Steve Ahlman, and Joshua Rivera
Producer: Isaiah Blakely
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Reactions | The Midnight Boys Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

The Boys are back to give you all of their thoughts on the newest installment of James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ universe: ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash.’

(0:00) Intro

(22:15) Spoilers Ahead

(23:54) ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Reactions

(1:25:06) Midnight Meter

(1:27:32) Outro

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Producers: Chris Thomas, Devon Baroldi, Aleya Zenieris, and Sarah Reddy

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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‘Fallout’ Season 2 Premiere Reactions (Plus Justin Theroux!) | Button Mash Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

Ben Lindbergh and Van Lathan return to the Wasteland for the first weekly Button Mash breakdown of ‘Fallout’ Season 2. First, they recap the premiere and discuss how it sets up the season. Then, Ben talks to Justin Theroux about joining the show in the role of Robert House. Finally, Ben brings on Polygon senior editor Chris Hayner for a primer on the game that inspired much of this season, ‘Fallout: New Vegas.’

Intro (0:00)
'Fallout' Season 2 premiere recap (11:56)
Interview with Justin Theroux (52:13)
Inside 'Fallout: New Vegas'—the game behind the season (1:00:33)

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Van Lathan, Justin Theroux, and Chris Hayner
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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Our Top 10 Highlights From the Game Awards | Button Mash Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

Ben Lindbergh and Matt James share their instant reactions to gaming's annual awards show/trailer fest! First they discuss the dominance of ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,’ Matt’s experience attending the show in person, and the award winners that made them happiest and saltiest. Then they count down their respective top 10 lists of exciting announcements about upcoming games.

Intro (0:00)
Reactions to the Game Awards (2:20)
Top 10 highlights (18:36)
Outro (1:01:26)

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guest: Matt James
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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Christmas Movies Draft | The Midnight Boys Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

The Boys are back and here to bring you their very merry Christmas movies draft! Five categories of holly jolly fun, from Comedy to Wild Card!

(0:00) Intro

(7:44) Christmas Movies Draft

(1:39:06) Outro

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Jacob Cornett

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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‘Metroid Prime 4,’ ‘Marvel Cosmic Invasion,’ and ‘Five Nights at Freddy's 2’ Reactions | Button Mash Dec 06, 2025

Show notes

After stepping inside Samus’s visor for the first time in years, Ben and Polygon's Giovanni Colantonio compare notes on the much-anticipated ‘Metroid Prime 4: Beyond,’a great game grafted onto parts of other, less-good games. In their spoiler-lite chat, they puzzle over the game’s discordant elements, praise its strengths, and analyze how it fits into the franchise’s lineage before assessing the Switch 2's launch-window lineup now that Nintendo has released its last title of 2025. Then Jessica Clemons joins Ben to discuss their impressions of a new beat-'em-up brawler, ‘Marvel Cosmic Invasion,’ and a new video game movie that’s been beaten up by critics, ‘Five Nights at Freddy's 2.’

Intro (0:00)
‘Metroid Prime 4’ Overview (3:00)
'Marvel Cosmic Invasion' Review (1:06:34)
Reactions to ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ (1:39:49)
Outro (1:56:47)

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Giovanni Colantonio and Jess Clemons
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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Wakandans at Thanksgiving? It’s Time for a Midnight Mailbag! | The Midnight Boys Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

The Boys are back and they’re asking the Midnight Riders for their most burning questions about the nerd-verse! From Yoda to Jomi-cookie-gate, they’re here to give you all the answers.

(0:00) Intro

(9:04) Midnight Mailbag

(1:39:09) Outro

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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'Zootopia 2' and Disney Sequels | Mint Edition Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

Spoilers ahead! Jomi, Steve, and Jess dive into the long-awaited 'Zootopia 2,' sharing their full review and exploring how the sequel expands the world of the original. They discuss the franchise’s cultural impact and what Disney got right (and wrong) this time around and look ahead to a potential 'Zootopia 3,' discussing where Judy, Nick, and the rest of the city could go next. Finally, they zoom out for a broader conversation on Disney sequels, the hurdles they’ve faced, why some manage to shine, and why others fall short.

Intro (0:00)
'Zootopia 2' review (4:43)
Disney sequels: hits, misses, and challenges (27:57)
Outro (52:44)

Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman
Guest: Jessica Clemons
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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White Girl Movies Draft | The Midnight Boys Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

The Boys are back, and they’re drafting white girl movies! From Meg Ryan to Lindsay Lohan, they draft in five categories: Fantasy/Action, Romantic Comedy, Musical, Drama, and Wild Card.

(0:00) Intro

(9:29) White Girl Movies Draft

(1:27:05) Outro

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Devon Renaldo

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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